You may have better things to do during the summer vacation but, in case you find yourself getting bored, I have an investigation that you might like to tackle. The work is open to all of my students, both those of you who are still studying the GCSE course and those who have just finished … Continue reading Summer Challenge
Energy: the biggest “big idea”
Physics, let alone all the sciences put together, covers such a vast range of knowledge that it's useful to identify a small number of "big ideas" that link across a greater number of concepts. And energy is undoubtedly the biggest of these "big ideas". When it comes to revising energy, the breadth of its impact … Continue reading Energy: the biggest “big idea”
Interpreting graphs
Graphs are a great way of presenting information in a format that is easy to understand but it's important you can describe them accurately as this skill is commonly tested in GCSE Physics papers and it ought to be an easy way to accumulate marks. I recommend a three-step approach, as outlined below. 1. Always … Continue reading Interpreting graphs
Happy Holidays!
It's tempting to think that happiness comes from not being in school over the Christmas break but I want you to think further ahead than the next two weeks. I want you to think about next summer and how happy you will be with a good grade in your GCSE Physics examination! Thinking ahead is … Continue reading Happy Holidays!
Electrical Energy Calculations
The equation for electrical energy is tricky because it contains four components whereas many of the common GCSE equations contain only three components - or can easily be reduced to three because one of the components can be treated as a constant. The best way to handle a four-component equation is to fill-in the values … Continue reading Electrical Energy Calculations
Tricky “relationships”
Sometimes in an exam paper you will see a question that reads something like: "State the relationship between speed, distance and time". This can seem confusing unless you know that, in this context, the word "relationship" means equation. So what you are really being asked to do is write the equation that contains the quantities … Continue reading Tricky “relationships”
Experimental data
One of the most important skills that is required for success in physics is the ability to handle experimental data in an appropriate way. This includes everything from correct use of units and equations to identifying anomalies, finding averages and recording calculations with the proper number of significant figures. All of these skills are tested … Continue reading Experimental data
Exam Tips 1: Word Choices
Obviously you have to know your subject content to succeed in any test or exam but there are also some things you can do to avoid common mistakes. Here are five top tips for getting extra marks simply by being more careful in your use of words. 1. Learn the command words and how to … Continue reading Exam Tips 1: Word Choices
Raise your grades!
Back in February I told you about a free online mini-course to help you improve your exam technique over five days. That course is back again so if you missed it the first time, do it now. (Bear in mind that "exam" technique includes tips for improving your answers in tests of all types - … Continue reading Raise your grades!
Experimental Physics
At the risk of being controversial, I would like to suggest that experiments are much more powerful than theories because experiments provide the evidence to prove whether or not a theory is correct. Technically, you can't prove that a theory is correct: you can only prove that it works for the particular case that you … Continue reading Experimental Physics
Mr Tarrant's physbang 'blog 